occupational therapy

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy, often abbreviated as "OT”, is an applied science and health profession that provides skilled treatment to help individuals achieve and maintain independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational Therapy gives people the "skills for the job of living" necessary for independent and satisfying lives. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by enabling people to do things that will enhance their ability to participate or by modifying the environment to better support participation. When permanent functional loss has occurred, occupational therapists can train the person to use specialized equipment and adaptive techniques to compensate for that the loss.Occupational Therapists are licensed by their respective states and are directed by a code of ethics. They are required to go through extensive education that may include a Masters level degree as well as pass a state and national board exam to ensure clinical expertise and ethical standards.